County court closes

Oldham County Court

Oldham County Court - which has also served the people of Rochdale since the closure of Rochdale County Court - closed on Friday (14 July) under the court closure programme set by the Government.

Staff celebrated the courts 123-year history with a special lunch and gathering after the public courts closed

While most of the staff will transfer to the Manchester Civil Justice Centre, two district judges have decided to retire.

Guests, including solicitors and local advocates, were invited to the court in New Radcliffe Street for a buffet lunch followed by drinks.

The closure has prompted the retirement of district judges Colin Fox, who has worked at the court for 20 years, and Martin Simpson, who is retiring after 16 years.

In a joint statement, they said: "We are sad the court is closing. We have enjoyed our work here and providing an important service to a community that stretches as far as the Yorkshire border."

The majority of the remaining 29 staff members will transfer to Manchester, although a handful will remain at local courts.

Oldham County Court dates back to 10 January 1894, when the old building in Church Lane first opened.

Under a court closure programme announced by the Government in 2015, a 12-week consultation period was put in place to close Greater Manchester's county courts, with the exception of Wigan and Manchester.